United States and Canada

Lithuania considers renaming former Soviet air base in honor of Ronald Reagan

By Lina Balsyte, the AP

From Lina Balsyte, the AP:  One of the largest strategic air force bases in the former Soviet Union could soon be named in honor of Ronald Reagan.

A future for UK and NATO defense

By Jim Murphy, the Labour Party

Arming Syria’s rebels

By Idean Salehyan, Duck of Minerva

The Great Shield of Deveselu: Missile Defense in Romania

By Eastern Approaches, the Economist

From Eastern Approaches, the Economist:  As the world frets about a possible military strike on Iran, villagers in a remote part of southern Romania are taking English lessons. Why? Because they want to be able to talk to the American soldiers who will soon be stationed in Deveselu, where the United States army is renting […]

Panetta discusses further US troop cuts in Europe

By Thom Shanker and Elisabeth Bumiller, the New York Times

From Thom Shanker and Elisabeth Bumiller, the New York Times:  Under orders to cut the Pentagon budget by more than $450 billion over the next decade, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is considering reductions in spending categories once thought sacrosanct, especially in medical and retirement benefits, as well as further shrinking the number of troops […]

Transition Seminar with Mark Brzezinski, US Ambassador-Designate to the Kingdom of Sweden

By Adrienne Chuck

On Monday, November 7, the Atlantic Council hosted US Ambassador-designate Mark Brzezinski for an off-the-record transition seminar. Seminar participants briefed Brzezinski on Swedish foreign and security policy, internal politics, economics, culture as well as how to succeed as an American ambassador to such a strategic ally.

NATO Secretary General meeting with Obama and top US leaders today

By NATO

From NATO:  The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, will visit Washington on Monday 7 November 2011.

U.S. general relieved of NATO command for disparaging Afghan government

By Barbara Starr, CNN

From Barbara Starr, CNN:  The commander of NATO’s international security force in Afghanistan sacked a senior U.S. Army general Friday for making disparaging comments about the Afghan government. Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, said Major Gen. Peter Fuller was relieved of duty, effective immediately, for making "inappropriate public comments." […]